Chapter 11 Danger Approaches Project Earth
An excerpt from The Starlover Series Book 1: Project Earth
It seemed such an ordinary day. Everyone was going about their business without much worry. Hal watched them as he usually did. But he sensed there were more people around. Certainly a few children had been born in their group. But these seemed like different people. Hal made some internal notes.
He knew quickly the newcomers weren’t human or earth nymphs. He wasn’t sure what they were at first. He kept his observations to himself. For now it seemed like enough. But something nagged him. He found Dr. Asimov studying something. The old man was so absorbed that he didn’t notice the younger man approach him. A shadow fell over Dr. Asimov. He jumped and looked up.
“Oh, it’s you, Hal.”
“I’m sorry. Was I too quiet for you?”
“Yes, but no matter.”
“I’m not sure what to do except for making notes and just observing.”
“What’s wrong?”
“There are more people nearby. They’re not human or earth nymphs. I’m not sure what they are. But they are watching us.”
“Oh?”
“Well, do you have any idea who they could be?”
“No. Are you aware of Herbert Mineur’s controversial notes from his time on Mars?”
“No, but I am aware he was one of the first colonists on Mars.”
“Read his notes. He talks about water nymphs, were creatures, and vampires. All people we previously thought were fictional.”
“Right, but we now know earth nymphs are real. Some of them are helping with Project Earth now.”
“Yes, but the general public may not have accepted them.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Hal consulted a tablet computer. “I see his notes are readily available.”
“Yes, but many people don’t accept them even though he was quite thorough and provided quite a bit of biological evidence.”
“He was a biologist and a skeptic. He would have demanded biological evidence or else he wouldn’t have written this. Correct?”
“That is correct. He wouldn’t even have been chosen for the mission if he wasn’t that good of a scientist.”
“I only know him by reputation.”
“So do I.”
Hal sat down and read Herbert Mineur’s notes. He made mental notes on the different type of humanoids the biologists had discovered. The evidence was compelling. Hal could see why many wouldn’t accept it even with the biological evidence. He set the tablet down. Dr. Asimov looked at him.
“Well, did you find your answer as to who’s watching us now?”
“No. I don’t have enough evidence about them.”
“Just keep observing them.”
“I will. I know I’m the only one who can.”
“You are unique, unless that Fred built something you don’t want to talk about.”
“You know I couldn’t tell even if he did.”
Dr. Asimov smiled. “I know. We’ve kept your secret well.”
Hal smiled. “Hopefully, no one will find out.”
“Well, I won’t tell and I could die any minute now.”
“I know, but you’re still here. Why is that?”
“I don’t know. I would have thought my body would have worn out by now.”
“Unless you’re really an android in disguise.”
Dr. Asimov laughed.
**********************
Fred was in the pilot’s seat once again. “I think it’s time to plot a course to Venus. I want to go to the floating city of Aphrodite. I hear it will be a great time for me.”
Starlover said, “Plotting a course to Venus. The course is set. Select a drive and we can fly there.”
Fred smiled. He selected a drive and soon they were headed to Venus. He watched Neptune get closer. Then it was gone. Next was Uranus. Jupiter stayed the longest on the viewscreen. Then it was the asteroid field. Then Mars. Earth. Finally Venus came into view. He was excited.
He contacted the local air traffic control to see what he needed to do next.
“Attention, Starlover. You may land on our floating airfield. Your ship should fit. How long will you be staying on Venus?”
“How long can I stay?”
“That depends upon your business here.”
“Just pleasure.”
“Well, in that case, you can leave your ship here for a month. We may have to ask you to leave earlier than that if any large ships need to land.”
“Okay. Sounds good to me.”
“Very well. We have shuttles for hire that will leave here and come back. We’re sending the information on them right now. We’re also sending your computer information on how to land on the floating platform.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Fred waited for all of the information. He was still at the controls, but Starlover had the coordinates. He would have to let her land the ship this time. He didn’t mind. By this time he, Starlover, and Starfire had become a team. He felt comfortable and knew he could trust them with anything.
Starlover brought them into the clouds of Venus. The clouds were yellow and there wasn’t much to see at first. But soon he could see the floating platform which was the air strip. It became larger the closer they got. Just before they landed, he could see other ships on top of the platform.
Starlover slowed the ship down considerably before she landed it on the platform. Fred read the message on his screen. “Enjoy your stay here on Venus. A shuttle is standing by when you’re ready to visit the cities.” He smiled.
“Alright, I trust you ladies will be okay without me for several hours.”
“Yes,” answered both Starlover and Starfire at the same time.
“Good. I’m going to have some fun. I have a watch on me so I can contact you and you can contact me if anything goes wrong. And of course I can contact a shuttle to bring me back here.”
“So noted. Have fun, Fred. See you later.”
“Yes, I’ll see you two later.”
He unstrapped himself and stood up. He walked off the ship and found the shuttle.
“Where would you like to go?”
“Aphrodite.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
“Is there any place you’d recommend for a good time?”
“Depends upon what kind of fun you’re looking for.”
Fred smiled.
“If you’re just wanting to look, there are plenty of dancers in the clubs. But if you want to touch, then you need to look for the red lights just above the doors.”
“Sounds good to me. What else is there?”
“There’s casinos if you feel like losing your money to us.” The pilot chuckled as he took off of the platform.
“I’ll probably be too busy with the ladies.”
“Suit yourself.”
